Notes that indoor air quality (IAQ) investigators often opt for grab- sampling techniques (GSTs) for chemical analysis of air. In GST, a sample of on-site air is collected (grabbed) for an extended period of time and returned to the analytical laboratory for pollutant identification and quantification. Gives reasons for stating that real-time monitoring (RTM), which provides immediate quantitative air quality data is typically more advantageous. Presents a comparison of the two methods of air sampling and discusses the advantages of RTM for IAQ applications. Describes actual application examples.